Ski boot



R. B. LANGE Jam 7, 1969 SKI BOOT Sheet I of? Filed March 14, 1966 Fig.

Robert B. Lange ml? @wvw I ATTORNEYS Jan. I, 1969 R. B. LANGE 3,419,974

I SKI BOOT Filed March 14', 1966 Sheet 2 or 2 INVENTOR I Robert B. LangeATTORNEY-j United States Patent Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Aplastic ski boot having an outer shell of a thickness great enough todeform the interior thereof while maintaining theexterior dimensionstable and the method of performing this operation.

This invention relates to a plastic ski boot and more particularly to aplastic ski boot wherein the parts are constructed and arranged so thatmaximum perfection in fitting is obtained.

Plastic ski boots are now well known to the ski manufacturing arts.Refer to my co-pending application S.N. 441,398. The advantages anddisadvantages of plastic ski boots are many and varied with theadvantages more than outweighing the disadvantages. Some of theprincipal advantages are their resistance to water, their rigidityduring skiing, their resistance to scuffing from ice and ski edges, andthe ease with which they can be manufactured of a variety of colors.

In the manufacture of boots of the plastic type the molds and lastsconstitute a major expense. Additionally, perfection of fit is of majorimportance. The ski boot is the principal connection between the ski andthe skier and for this reason control is established and is limited bythe efiiciency with which the boot operates as a connection between theleg and the ski.

Many skiers develop bone spurs and other foot imperfections as a resultof the constant pressures which are applied to the foot as a result ofskiing. One :of the principal objectives of this invention is to providea ski boot which can be manufactured in standard sizes but which can befit to perfection at the retail store. In general, this objective isaccomplished by making a plastic ski boot shell having thicker gaugeplastic at those portions of the boot where bone spurs are likely tooccur and through the use of heated instruments, depressions can beformed in the plastic shell without seriously effecting boot strength.

Another objective of this invention is to provide a plasticski bootwhich has a hinging capability without the necessity of a two-pieceunit.

Another objective of this invention is to provide an inner liner for aplastic ski boot which forms pockets for removable sponge rubber padsfor the additional comfort of the skier.

A still further objective of this invention is to provide theabove-mentioned liner with Velco attachments so that the sponge rubberpadding is maintained in its proper position by maintaining the properpositioning between the liner and the boot.

These and other objectives of the invention will become more apparentwhen the following description is read in light of the attached drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective of one form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is the assembling of the boot shown in FIG- URE 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded side elevation of a further embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic showing how the depressions can be formed in theboot shell.

Referring now to the drawings where like numerals indicate like parts,the numeral 10 indicates the boot of this invention. The outer shell isindicated by the numeral 12. The shell is comprised of an integral unithaving a sole portion 14, an upper 16, an ankle gaiter portion 18 andhaving the normal foot opening defined by flaps 20 and 22. For purposesof clarity, the buckles and other fasteners normally used with bootshave not been shown in FIGURE 1.

The outer 12 is cast as one unit. That portion connecting the upper 16and the ankle gaiter portion 18 is narrowed at 24 and 26. These narrowedportions provide a limited hinging action between the two elements. Oneither side of the narrowed portion the boot is formed withaccordion-like bellows deformations 28 and 30 which aid and limit thehinging movement between 16 and 18. Note that a plurality of Velcofemale elements 32 are secured to the interior of the boot shell.

The inner liner of the 'boot is indicated by the numeral 40. This lineris made of Corfam and is comprised of three basic elements; a footreceiving portion 42, an ankle portion 44 and a tongue 43. The tongue ofcourse closes the opening defined by flaps 20 and 22. Ankle portion 44has a return flap which extends downwardly as shown by the numeral 48 todefine pockets around the ankle. The pockets are for the reception offoam rubber padding elements 50. The inner liner 40 is inserted withinthe interior of the boot outer shell 12 and isfirmly secured thereto byway of an epoxy glue. The remaining element of the boot is an innersole48 of conventional construction.

As previously stated, one of the principal features of this invention isthe use of a thick gauge plastic at certain places in the outer shelland in particular at those areas where bone spurs are likely to occur.Specifically the thick gauge is used at that area opposite the ball ofthe boot indicated at 62 and at that area opposite the little toegenerally designated by the numeral 64. Likewise, the thickened plasticis used in ankle section of the boot opposite the protruding ankle bone.The area 64 is shown in cross-section in FIG. 4. Note how the area ofthe outer shell nearest the small toe is thickened as at 66. In theevent a depression must be made in this area, heated instrument 68 isapplied to the interior of the thermosetting material and a depressionof desired depth is formed by the instrument. No change in the 'outerconfiguration of the boot since the mold 70 will hold that portionrigid. Through the use of this method, sales personnel at the retailoutlet of the boots can manufacture and alter a boot to exactly fit theperson buying the boots.

The embodiment in FIGURE 3 is constructed similarly to that of theembodiment shown in 1, 2 and 4 with thickened portions of the plasticjudiciously -selected at those boot surfaces adjacent areas of the footlikely to cause trouble. In this embodiment, however, the outer shell iscast in three different molds, namely, 76, a gaiter portion 78 and abellowed section 80. The bellowed section 80 is made with flangedportions 82 and 84 which are respectively secured to those portions ofthe gaiter and lower shell indicated by the and 92. The member 80 can bemanufactured of polypropylene. By way of a pivot stud through theapertures 94 and 96 a pivot action is obtained and is limited andcontrolled by the polyproplene hinge.

As mentioned previously, the molds for such plastic boots constitute amajor cost. Likewise, since accurate fitting of ski boots is of utmostimportance, the retailers of such equipment heretofore were required tomaintain a substantial stock of inventory. By utilizing the structureand methods of this invention the number of molds necessary can bereduced as well as the amount of inventory any one retailer mustmaintain. This can be accomthickness suflicient to withstand suchdeformations. The

outer dimensions of the boot of course need not be changed.

In a general manner, while there has been disclosed in the abovedescription, what are deemed to be the most practical and efiicientembodiments and methods of the invention, it should be well understoodthat the inven tion is not limited to such embodiments and methods as asthere might be changes made in the arrangement, disposition, and form ofthe parts and methods Without departing from the principle of thepresent invention as comprehended within the scope of the accompanyingclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. A plastic ski boot comprising a thermoplastic outer shell ofsubstantial thickness, said shell comprising an elongated foot-receivingportion, a sole and an upper member integral with said sole, a gaiter,means pivotally connecting said upper and said gaiter, said outer shellhaving portions of greater thickness than adjacent portions thereofwhereby said portions of greater thickness can be deformed withoutweakening the outer shell, a liner portion insertable in said shell,said liner having a pocket formed therein, and a plurality of resilientpads removably secured in said pocket.

2. The ski boot recited in claim 1 wherein a plurality of fasteningdevices are mounted to the interior of said shell and a like number ofmating fastening devices are mounted on the exterior of said lineropposing said firstmentioned fastening devices, and means causing saidfastening devices to removably grip one another.

3. The method of sizing a plastic ski boot to the foot of a wearercomprising the steps of selecting a boot approximating the size of thefoot of a wearer, comparing the foot dimensions of said wearer with theinterior dimensions of said boot, applying a heated form to the interiorof said boot, while maintaining the exterior dimensions of said bootstable, at locations Where a greater interior space is required andexerting an outwardly directed pressure against said area until adepression is formed of an amplitude desired as a result of saidcomparison.

4. The method of sizing a plastic ski boot comprising the steps ofpermanently deforming the interior dimensions of the boot with heat andpressure while maintaining the exterior dimensions of the boot stable.

5. A plastic ski boot comprising a thermoplastic outer shell ofsubstantial thickness, said shell comprising an elongated foot-receivingportion, a sole and an upper member integral with said sole, a gaiter,means pivotally connecting said gaiter with respect to said upper andsaid sole, said outer shell having portions of greater thickness thanadjacent portions thereof whereby said portions of greater thickness canbe deformed without weakening the outer shell, a liner portioninsertable in said shell, said liner having a pocket formed therein, anda plurality of resilient pads removably secured in said pocket.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,904,787 4/1933 Hitzler et al.12142 2,279,304 4/ 1942 Curtis et al 12-142 2,531,763 11/1950 Andre362.5 3,237,319 3/1966 Hanson 36-2.5 3,239,952 3/1966 Lange ct a1.36-2.5

PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

